Children celebrate success in Beyond Radio's first Junior Poet Laureate Competition

Budding young wordsmiths have been recognised at Beyond Radio's first Junior Poet Laureate Competition.

Awards were presented at The Station Hotel Ballroom in Carnforth at the event to celebrate the excellent poetic entries on the theme of nature from primary school children across the area.

Jack Townley from Christ Church School in Lancaster took the coveted title with his winning poem 'Nature Is'. 

Poppy Kitchen, also from Christ Church School, took the second place award with her poem 'Before It's Too Late'.

Bryan Griffin, Beyond Radio presenter, nationally renowned poet and current Carnforth Poet Laureate, delivered poetry writing workshops with children from this year's four participating schools, Christ Church School Lancaster, Carnforth Community Primary School, West End School Morecambe and Castle View Primary Academy Lancaster. 

"The children worked really hard in the workshops and the subject of nature brought a range of poems dealing with wildlife, climate change, recycling and more," said Bryan.

"It's great to see young people feeling able to express themselves so wonderfully through the written word."

Duncan Moore, station director in charge of community programming, presented the awards on behalf of Beyond Radio.

"Thank you to the children who entered our competition and to the schools who agreed to take part, we really appreciate your willingness to get involved," said Duncan.

"As Beyond Radio celebrates its 10^th year on air, delivering community initiatives like this are at the heart of what we believe is the purpose of Beyond Radio.

"We want to encourage participation in the arts and support our local community in any way we can.

"I have been really impressed with the poems these young people have produced and I hope they feel encouraged to continue to write."

Chris Coates, Carnforth town councillor and one of the panel judges, also added his congratulations, as did Matt Panesh, judge, Beyond Radio presenter and organiser of the Morecambe Poetry Festival.

Matt confirmed that the children's poems will appear in a printed anthology of festival poems this year.

Apart from their trophies, the competition winners each received book tokens and the schools received a cash donation to purchase books for their libraries.

All the children entering the competition were given certificates of achievement for their efforts.

Beyond Radio would like to thank The Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund for their support of this year's competition.

The Junior Poet Laureate Competition was part of the Beyond Radio 10 for 10 - a series of 10 community events in 2026 to celebrate the radio station's 10th birthday year.